Run Skype on Raspberry Pi

Step-by-step instruction on running Skype on Raspberry Pi

using ExaGear Desktop

Skype is available on many platforms but not on Raspberry Pi (or ARM-based Chromebooks). In this post, we will tell you how to run Skype on Raspberry Pi 2 and Raspberry Pi 3 using ExaGear Desktop, which allows to run x86 apps on ARM mini PCs.

We had a lot of requests about running Skype with ExaGear, but could not publish a corresponding instruction earlier. The thing is that for playing sound Skype uses PulseAudio sound server, which was not stable on Raspberry Pi. Fortunately starting with Raspbian launched in May 2016 things have become better. Below we give some hints how to configure PulseAudio and run Skype on your RPi 2 or RPi 3.

P.S.: keep in mind that with ExaGear Desktop you can use not only Skype but other chat (e.g. Telegram), music (e.g. Spotify), productivity (e.g. Dropbox) and many other apps on your Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi test stand configuration

Model

Raspberry Pi 2 Model B

Raspberry Pi 3

Frequency

1000 MHz

1200 MHz

Memory

1 GB RAM

1 GB RAM

Operating System

Raspbian Stretch from Sep 2017

Raspbian Stretch from Sep 2017

Software

Skype for Linux v4.3.0.37

Eltechs ExaGear Desktop for Raspberry Pi 2

Skype for Linux v4.3.0.37

Eltechs ExaGear Desktop for Raspberry Pi 3

Skype installation instruction

Configure host Raspbian system

1. Install and configure PulseAudio.

$ sudo apt-get install pulseaudio

$ pulseaudio --start

2. Please note that you should set your Raspberry Pi 2 device overclocked in order to achieve good quality Skype voice calls. Execute the following command in Terminal (command line):

$ sudo raspi-config

Select Overclock section and then “Pi2” (1000 MHz).

Install ExaGear Desktop

3. Download ExaGear Desktop archive with installation packages and license key. Unpack downloaded archive using the following command in Terminal:

$ tar -xvzpf exagear-desktop-rpi3.tar.gz

4. Install and activate ExaGear on your ARM device by running install-exagear.sh script in a directory with deb packages and one license key:

$ sudo ./install-exagear.sh

Launch guest x86 system

5. Enter the guest x86 system using the following command:

$ exagear

Starting the shell in the guest image /opt/exagear/images/debian-8

Now you are in the x86 environment that can be checked by running the ‘arch’ command:

$ arch

i686

6. It is recommended to update apt-get repositories on the first launch of the guest system:

Final notes

It is also worth noting that with ExaGear Desktop you can run other x86 apps on Raspberry Pi 2 and Raspberry Pi 3. ExaGear also supports other ARM-based devices, such as Odroid, Banana Pi, Beagleboard, Cubox, Jetson, Cubieboard etc.

Please note that running Skype on Raspberry Pi 1 and Raspberry Pi Zero is not possible because of lack of NEON support in the hardware of these devices.

Step-by-step instruction on running Spotify on Raspberry Pi with the help of ExaGear Desktop and getting access to millions of songs.

ExaGear is registered trademark of Eltechs, Inc. Raspberry Pi is a trademark of the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Skype is a trademark of Skype or related entities. Other trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.

did you took care if the linux drivers are working for your cam. for me some did not. then i gave a try with ubuntu mate for rpi. there is a better driver support. i even use a tv-webcam with integrated stereo mics. better try mate…

kambarg

I used Trust USB camera and it worked right after plugging in to the Raspberry Pi with Raspbian 8. It didn’t require any drivers or so.

alex leitner

very cool option. going to try a pine64+ skype client for tv and dedicate it to my parents to keep in touch with my lil son … i am looking forward..

Refaat Ghanem

Hello, is it possible to launch a video call with python script??

Marcello Fini

Hello, I bought with two webcams (a logitech and a trust). Both work as far as video is concerned, but audio is only one way and only works sometimes / for a short time!
Specifically, the microphone of the webcam is not functional. Any clue?

kambarg

My trust camera has builtin microphone and two cables – a USB and a separate cable for audio in. As long as Raspberry Pi doesn’t have audio in I use USB sound card to which I plugin the second cable. This way microphone works.

Toshibochan

How I can add push button to make a call?

kambarg

What do you mean, what is push button?

Toshibochan

Is possible to use gpio pin to use push button and make call?

Fawad Ahmad

hey very helpful tutuorial
skype is running on my raspberry pi 2 but can’t hear a sound and also mic is not functional
i am trying with usb sound card
any help???

kambarg

Did you check headphones and mic work without Skype?

Fawad Ahmad

thank you @kambarg for replying
only headphones is working
i checked it with the command “speaker-test -c2” and also listen songs on youtube..it is working well but when i make a test call on skype ,nothing hears

I will try to run it on my RPi this weekend, but will be glad is someone can share experience and first impression.

Joe Smith

So did it run? Thanks

kambarg

It is 64-bit version. Currently official version of Raspbian for RPi 3 is 32-bit so you cannot test 64-bit apps there.

Joe Smith

Thank you for your response.

Bob Dylan

sadly Alpha Skype is 64 bit with no plans to support 32 bit.. Exagear only supports 32 bit applications

I cant get audio to work proplerly on skype exagear ive. ive been troubleshooting for the past few days straight.

Guess im out 27 dollars

kambarg

Hi Bob!
Eltechs is planning to release x86 64-bit apps support soon. Currently solution is being tested. And if your license key is for Pi 3 or for ARMv8 devices then you will get this update for free.

As for 32-bit Skype, there are 2 options:
1. use skype v 4.3 as described in this tutorial (just make sure you did accurately all prerequisits)
2. use skype 4.2. This approach was found by some users (see comments above and below) and as I understand in this case skype uses alsa instead of pulseaudio and works more stable.

Bob Dylan

Wow i got it to work with 2 way video calls and sound
Its laggy as all heck but it works.

What i did:
I added this step i found in a thread from 2015http://www.cnx-software.com/2015
5) Pulseaudio by default does not accept socket calls. You can change it using paprefs utility.
$ sudo apt-get install paprefs
$ sudo paprefs
Select “Network Server” and check “Enable network access to local sound devices”.

6) Run skype with the following option:
$ PULSE_SERVER=127.0.0.1 skype

After that i made sure to keep pulse audio while making calls in order to tweak settings

Eventually it worked

-bob dylan

el jugador

I solved the audio and mic problem with a downgrade (skype 4.3 to 4.2). in 4.3 I had only virtual devices and couldnt change them. In 4.2 to select the correct devices was possible…